“My journey began when my three year old began experiencing unexplained fevers, joint pain, skin rashes, immune dysfunction, and various other health complaints. I took him to numerous doctors who did lots of testing….with no diagnosis. I was inspired by the author Doris Rapp, who’s book “Is this your Child’s World”, was profiled on a talk show.  I went through the index looking for a doctor who understood chemical injury because I believed my child was suffering from something in my home. I had taken him on extended trips and had seen improvement in his rashes when he was not in my home.

I made phone calls and found a wonderful doctor who was an expert in the field of chemical exposure. I took my three old in for testing; they did saliva, hair and blood tests. Within a couple of weeks we had the results and yes ….my three year old son had a diagnosis of Chemical injury from exposure to toxins. We then tested my other two children, my husband and myself…..we all had the same exact diagnosis. We lived in a beautiful beach town that was just paradise on earth, I thought. The doctor asked if there was any smoke stacks or industry near my home. I didn’t know of any and I set out looking. I soon found out that there was a gas processing plant from the offshore rigs about a 1/2 mile or so from my house. Our exposure was to heavy metals and solvents which matched up to the metals of the oil and gas processing facility.

From that point on my life went spinning out of control. I immediately moved my family to another home, leaving my husband behind to run our small business which provided income for our family. Not long after my family’s diagnosis the gas processing plant went public that they had underground storage tanks leaking and needed to do remediation. But of course their chemicals did not get to my property, nor did any of their emissions! In fact, they had neglected to follow the proper notifying procedure for anybody, not even the houses right next to the plant because magically, nothing ever left their plant!

In the years that followed I fought the oil companies. No attorney wanted to take the case because the oil and gas companies fight for years, and appeal decisions, and it could cost a fortune to pursue. Also causation at summary judgment had made it basically impossible for anybody to succeed. So I took them on In Pro Per. I had the help of many wonderful people like Mr. Benard Endres, a unbelievable expert in oil and gas mitigation. Dr. Gunnar Heuser also helped me with declarations of support etc. Mr. Winston Street who was the first person to successfully win a NORM case against an oil and gas company who had become an expert in his field. I had a wonderful friend who had worked for the Response Team for the Chemically Injured who stood by my side and helped me with gathering data etc. I was so blessed by the wonderful people who came forward, stood by me and helped.

At my second summary judgment hearing,the oil companies pulled an old judge (Judge Dodds) out of retirement, and I lost.  In the end I went to the appellate level and still could not over turn the summary judgment. However, the governmental entities (deputy health officer, Air Pollution and Control District, Water Company) all did declarations on behalf of the oil companies. I spent two weeks going through documents at the oil companies office and numerous people came forward with information to help prove my case, but in the end I lost the appeal. However, I did continue gathering information and soon caught the oil company in their lies by proving they had lied about the stack heights to change the Facility Emission Data, and later they had to admit that this facility does pose a significant risk from benzene to the surrounding community (after the appeal of course).  They also went on to find the property was much more contaminated than they originally admitted.

I now have enough information to prove “fraud” and one day perhaps I will go forward if I can find an attorney willing to take them on. My children still suffer, they can hardly go to school because of sickness and infections. Their immune systems are still not operating like they should and they are chemically sensitive. We have learned to live a scent free lifestyle and avoid chemicals and toxins as best we can. We continually try to help others understand the real dangers of not knowing their environment. I learned a great deal about chemicals, gas processing plants, the law, and the good will of others. I worked for years and feel I did have an impact. Thank you, Linda Alkasem”

Provided by www.healthychild.org

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